-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The celebratory champagne should be well-chilled by now .

After years of manufacturing delays and cost overruns , the state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner makes its North American debut Sunday morning , toting more than 200 eager United Airlines passengers from Houston to Chicago .

It promises to be a morning full of festivities , starting with a ribbon-cutting before the plane departs Bush Intercontinental Airport at 7:20 a.m. . The aircraft touches down two and a half hours later at O'Hare International Airport , greeted by a water cannon salute .

United says the 787 -- the airline has ordered 50 -- will `` revolutionize the flying experience for our customers and crew while delivering unprecedented operating efficiency , comfort and lower emissions . ''

The Dreamliner saves airlines money on fuel because its body is made from lightweight composite materials . It features passenger comforts such as bigger windows , larger overhead bins and better ventilation .

U.S. routes announced for ` sports car in the sky '

Sunday 's flight crew wo n't need to kick the nose gear tires , size 40x16 .0 R16/26PR to be exact , before taking off .

United received the Dreamliner flying Sunday on September 28 . It was put through the paces in October before earning Federal Aviation Administration certification .

`` Everyone 's very excited , even people who are n't in the industry , '' Phil Derner , founder of the aviation news site NYCAviation.com , told CNN in August . `` There 's a ton of new technology on the 787 . It 's efficient and performs well , and it 's also a very good-looking aircraft . It 's kind of like a sports car in the sky . ''

In September 2011 , Japan 's All Nippon Airways became the first carrier to receive the plane , which was three years overdue at that time .

Because of unexpected delivery delays , during November and December some domestic flights originally scheduled to use the 787 will operate with a different aircraft type , United said .

United says its Dreamliners will include 36 first-class seats , 70 premium-economy seats and 113 economy seats . It recently received its second 787 .

CNN 's Thom Patterson and Patrick Oppmann contributed to this report .

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United will be the first airline to fly the 787 in the United States

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The advanced aircraft has weathered production delays

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It 's made of lighter material and will reduce fuel costs

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Passengers will enjoy bigger windows and more bin space